How to install a weather widget Xiaomi desktop

Personalizing the smartphone interface is not just a tribute to aesthetics, but also a way to improve the efficiency of the device. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO gadgets often face the need to quickly access current climate information outside the window. The weather widget allows you to instantly assess temperature, rainfall and air pollution levels without going to the application.

With the MIUI operating shell and the new HyperOS, widgets have undergone significant changes to offer users flexible customization tools. However, standard installation methods may not be obvious to newcomers who have migrated from other versions of Android or iOS. We will examine all the available ways to add an informer to the home screen, including hidden settings and alternative applications.

It is important to understand that the correct operation of the widget depends on the permissions you give the system. To display accurate data, you need a stable Internet connection and geolocation enabled. Below is a detailed guide that will help you to customize the display of climate data exactly as you like.

Standard way to add a widget through the editing menu

The easiest and most reliable method of installing an informer is available to every user without the need to install third-party software. First, you need to unlock the smartphone and go to the main screen where you plan to place the item. The system widget is already built into the shell and does not require additional download.

Press and hold your finger on the free portion of your desktop or pinch your two fingers to activate editing mode. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a toolbar where you want to select Widgets. The system will offer several tabs, among which you should look for the category "Weather" or "Services".

In the list that opens, you'll see different design options, from minimalist digits to detailed blocks with a forecast for the week. Choose the right design and drag it to a vacant place. After placing, you can resize the block by pulling special markers around the edges.

Note that some widget styles may require screen resolution or shell version. If the standard set doesn't suit you, you can always turn to alternative solutions from the GetApps store.

Configuring data display and location parameters

Once the item is on the screen, you often need to change the city or temperature display format. By default, the system uses geolocation data, but it can be easily adjusted. To do this, tap the widget or click on the gear icon if it is provided by the selected design.

In the settings menu, you can switch between Celsius and Fahrenheit, and change the units of wind speed. If you're traveling or want to monitor the weather in another city, add a new location through search. Geolocation should be enabled in the smartphone's global settings to automatically update data as you move.

⚠️ Warning: If the widget shows incorrect data, check if the power saving mode for the system application "Weather" is turned on. Aggressive battery optimization can block the background update of information.

You can also select a data source in the settings, and in some regions, there may be a single provider that makes inaccurate predictions, and switching to an alternative service often solves the problem of temperature discrepancies.

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Use an hourly forecast widget if you plan to travel for short distances or walks often, which will help you better assess the need for an umbrella or warm clothing.

Remember to check the relevance of the data periodically. Sometimes the application cache can overflow, which leads to "hang" of the indicators, cleaning the cache through the application settings will return the correct operation.

Use of the Mi Weather app and its widgets

Xiaomi smartphones pre-installed native Mi Weather app, which offers more advanced functionality than the standard system unit, provides detailed maps of precipitation, ultraviolet indices and air quality, widgets of this application are highly informative.

To install the Mi Weather widget, do the same thing: press the screen, select "Widgets" and find the corresponding app in the list, and there are more design options available, including animated backgrounds, which change depending on the time of day and current conditions.

Inside the app, you can set up a list of cities to track, and the widget will cycle the weather for different locations, or display data only for the selected city, which is convenient for those who are monitoring the climate in the place of their relatives or planning a trip.

It's important to note that the app requires access to the camera for some augmented reality features, but it doesn't have to be for the widget to work.

Third-party solutions from Google Play and GetApps

If Xiaomi’s standard tools seem too simple, app stores offer hundreds of alternatives. Popular solutions like Today Weather, Overdrop or YoWindow provide incredible flexibility in customizing the look, allowing you to change fonts, colors, background images, and even add your own icons.

To install a third-party widget, download the selected application first. After installation, repeat the process of adding desktop widgets through the menu. New items will appear in the common list with the logo of the corresponding application. Many of them support deep customization through built-in editors.

Using third-party software has its pros and cons. On the one hand, you get a unique design, on the other hand, these applications can consume more battery life than optimized system counterparts.

When choosing, pay attention to the rating of the application and the presence of advertising. Free versions often contain intrusive banners that can be displayed in the widget, which spoils the appearance of the desktop.

Comparison of data sources and accuracy of forecasts

The accuracy of the prediction depends not only on the smartphone algorithms, but also on the provider of weather data. In the settings of Xiaomi widgets, you can often choose the source of information. Different providers use different forecasting models, which can give discrepancies in the results.

As the table shows, local services such as Yandex.Weather are often more accurate for users in Russia and CIS countries if the widget supports source selection. Global providers may be less responsive to local microclimatic features.

If you notice a systematic error in your prediction, try changing the data provider in your application settings.This action does not require rebooting the device and takes effect instantly.

⚠️ Note: Some third-party widgets may request excessive permissions, such as access to contacts or microphone.Be careful when installing and only allow necessary weather rights.

Solving problems with updating and working widget

A common problem for users is that the widget stops updating or shows yesterday's temperature, usually due to operating system restrictions that prohibit background activity of applications to save power. Battery optimization is the main enemy of the relevance of widgets.

To fix this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find the Weather list or the name of a third-party app. Go to Battery and select No Limits mode, which will allow the system to update data in the background without restrictions.

Also check for free storage space in the device. If the storage is crowded, the system can block the recording of new cache data. Cleaning up garbage and removing unnecessary files often solves the problem of a “hung” widget.

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The main reason for a widget that doesn't work is aggressive energy saving, and switching to "No Limits" solves the problem 90 percent of the time.

In rare cases, you may need to completely reset the widget settings. Remove it from the screen, clear the weather app data through the settings, and add the element again, which will restart the sync process with the server.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions